Entamoeba infections and associated risk factors among migrant workers in peninsular Malaysia

Sahimin, Norhidayu and Yunus, Muhammad Hafiznur and Douadi, Benacer and Lim, Yvonne Ai Lian and Noordin, Rahmah and Behnke, Jerzy Marian and Mohd Zain, Siti Nursheena (2019) Entamoeba infections and associated risk factors among migrant workers in peninsular Malaysia. Tropical Biomedicine, 36 (4). pp. 1014-1026. ISSN 0127-5720,

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Official URL: http://msptm.org/files/Vol36No4/1014-1026-Mohd-Zai...

Abstract

The influx of low skilled migrant workers to Malaysia from low socio-economic countries where gastrointestinal parasitic infections are prevalent has raised concerns about transmission to the local population. Three methods for detection (serology, microscopy and molecular techniques) were utilized to identify Entamoeba infections amongst the targeted cohort and determine risk factors associated with infection. Serological screening of 484 migrant workers from five working sectors in Peninsular Malaysia using IgG4 ELISA based on the rPPDK antigen showed an overall seroprevalence of 7.4% (n = 36; CL95 = 5.3–10.1%) with only one factor statistically associated with seropositivity of anti-amoebic antibodies, i.e. years of residence in Malaysia (χ21 = 4.007, p = 0.045). Microscopic examination of 388 faecal samples for protozoan cysts and trophozoites showed a slightly higher prevalence (11.6%; n=45; CL95: 8.4–14.8%). Meanwhile, amplification of the 16S rDNA gene detected two species i.e. Entamoeba dispar (23/388; 5.9%; CL95: 3.6–8.3%) and E. histolytica (11/388; 2.8%; CL95: 1.2–4.5%) and mixed infections with both parasites in only three samples (3/388; 0.8%; CL95: 0.2–2.2%). Entamoeba dispar infection was significantly associated with those employed in food and domestic services (χ24 = 12.879, p = 0.012). However, none of the factors affected the prevalence of E. histolytica infection. Despite the low prevalence of E. histolytica in faecal samples of the study cohort, the presence of this pathogenic parasite still poses potential public health risks and calls for tighter control strategies based on better availability of chemotherapeutic treatment and accessibility to appropriate health education. © 2019, Malaysian Society for Parasitology. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Funders: University of Malaya, PPP grant PG040-2014A, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) from Ministry of Education, FP015-2014B, UM/MoHE High Impact Research Grant (UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/MED/23), Funding for serological investigation at USM was provided by the Ministry of Education through the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence Program (HICoE) [Grant no. 311/CIPPM/4401005]
Uncontrolled Keywords: Entamoeba histolytica; Amebiasis; Abscess ALA
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
R Medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Science > Institute of Biological Sciences
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Office > Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 28 Jan 2020 01:14
Last Modified: 28 Jan 2020 01:14
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/23589

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